Turkish Military in Iraq & Syria

An internally displaced Kurdish family in northern Iraq, 2016 (Maranie R. Staab)

Belligerent
Turkish Military
Country
Iraq
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

TI034

Incident date

April 15, 2020

Location

مخيم مخمور للاجئين, Makhmur Refugee Camp, Erbil, Iraq

Geolocation

35.760000, 43.605000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three women were killed alleged Turkish drone strikes on Makhmour refugee camp, Erbil province, on April 15th 2020, according to local sources. Four civilians were injured.

Bewar Amin, head of Makhmour Camp’s media department, told Rudaw English that “three civilian women were killed by the Turkish airstrike today near Makhmour camp. Two women were killed immediately by the airstrikes, and another woman succumbed to her grave injuries and passed away later on.”

Yeniozgur Politika reported that Turkish Unmanned Aerial Vehicles targeted the camp, killing three women who were working in the gardens around 1:10 PM. The victims were named as Eyşö Ehmed Ferhan, Ezime Akdoğan and Hawa Akdoğan.

Whereas @abdullahawez wrote that it was unclear whether the women were civilians are not, all other sources reported the victims were civilians. Yeniozgur Politika added that the camp’s residents gathered in front of the hospital and held a ceremony to bury the victims, despite the ongoing dangers of Covid-19.

Kirkuk Now reported that, in addition, four civilians had been injured.

Kurdistan24 wrote that “Turkish warplanes conducted several airstrikes on Tuesday [April 14th] and Wednesday [April 15th] that targeted alleged positions of the opposition Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). According to local media reports, the new campaign resulted in several deaths, including both civilians and PKK fighters, and significant damage to the property of local residents and farmers.”

The incident occured at approximately 1:10 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Adult female killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Footage of Turkish airstrikes on Erbil province on April 15th, 2020 (via @HanaComani)
  • Photos of Makhmour camp, Erbil province, date unknown (via @y_ozgurpolitika).
  • Funeral ceremony of Eyşö Ehmed Ferhan, Ezime Akdoğan and Hawa Akdoğan, who died in alleged Turkish drone strikes on April 15th 2020 (via Yeniozgur Politika).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Makhmur Refugee Camp (مخيم مخمور للاجئين) for which the generic coordinates are: 35.760000, 43.605000. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Turkish Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI033

Incident date

February 26, 2020

Location

Sida village, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

37.085278, 43.931111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Sidah village, Zap in Nineveh, Iraq Kurdistan on February 26th, 2020 according to local sources.

ANF reported that “on February 26th, Turkish jets struck a civilian car in Sidah village of Zap region at 16:00, killing a civilian named Khelil Ibrahim Sidani who came from the Sheladize town.”

The Press Office of the People’s Defense Forces (HPG-BIM) released a statement saying that “Turkish attacks deliberately targeted civilians who were working in their fields in the Sidah village.”

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Sida village in Iraq on Feb 26th, 2020 (via ANF)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sidah (سيده) for which the generic coordinates are: 37.085278, 43.931111. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Turkish Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI032

Incident date

January 15, 2020

Location

دوكوري, Dugure, Nineveh, Iraq

Geolocation

36.471389, 41.745556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and eleven people were killed and up to five people, including one civilian, were reported injured in an alleged Turkish strike on a YBS base in the town of Dugure, Sinjar governorate, on January 15th, 2020, according to local sources.

Ekurd reported that Turkish warplanes had “bombed targets in the Dugure community in the mainly Yazidi Sinjar (Shingal) district. YBS commander Zardasht Shingali and four fighters were killed and five others, including a civilian, were wounded in the bombardment.”

According to Big News Network, the military press office stated that “five YBS members were killed at 11:35 local time (08:35 GMT) this Wednesday in the unidentified airstrike in the Hittin base, in the northern part of the Nineveh Operations Command division.”

Bas News reported eleven killed and stated that the brother of Shingali was also killed. The other nine killed were allegedly also fighters with the YBS. The YBS themselves reported in a written statement that four of their fighters had been killed, according to @dersi4m. An eyewitness told Kurdistan24: “I saw eight dead bodies with my own eyes and there were multiple other wounded people.”

Khadida Joki, director of Sunoon district, north of Sinjar district, said in a statement to Kirkuk Now that “Turkish planes targeted at 11:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, due to the targeting of the headquarters of Sinjar protection units.”

Saeb Khadr Nayef, the representative of the Yazidi quota in the House of Representatives, released a statement after the airstrike, stating that “unknown aircraft, as described by the Iraqi Security Media Cell today, targeted one of the Yezidi complexes (Hittin Complex) located in the north in the Sinjar district, and this is not the first time that In which the Sinjar district is targeted by aircraft that are not officially disclosed by the competent Iraqi authorities, this act that violates the national atmosphere and Iraqi sovereignty has resulted in loss of life and martyrdom of innocent Yazidis, not to mention the state of panic and fear that occurred between the people.”

The incident occured between 11:00 am and 11:35 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4–11
  • Belligerents reported injured
    5

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on the Digure community in the mainly Yazidi Sinjar district on January 15th, 2020 (via Ekurd Daily).
  • Zardasht Shingali, chief of YBS, a PKK affiliated group, was reportedly killed in a Turkish airstrike on the village of Dugure, Nineveh province, on January 15th, 2020 (via @BarzanSadiq).
  • Aftermath of alleged Turkish airstrikes on the village of Digure in the mainly Yazidi Sinjar district on January 15th, 2020 (via ANF English).
  • Photo of one of the YBS (Sinjar Resistance Units) fighters who were killed in an alleged Turkish attack on the village of Digure in the mainly Yazidi Sinjar district on January 15th, 2020. Name unknown (via @dersi4m).
  • Photo of one of the YBS (Sinjar Resistance Units) fighters who were killed in an alleged Turkish attack on the village of Digure in the mainly Yazidi Sinjar district on January 15th, 2020. Name unknown (via @dersi4m).
  • Photo of one of the YBS (Sinjar Resistance Units) fighters who were killed in an alleged Turkish attack on the village of Digure in the mainly Yazidi Sinjar district on January 15th, 2020. Name unknown (via @dersi4m).
  • Photo of Zardasht Shingali, chief of YBS, a PKK affiliated group, was reportedly killed in a Turkish airstrike on the village of Dugure, Nineveh province, on January 15th, 2020 (via @dersi4m).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Dugure (دوكوري) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.471389, 41.745556.  Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Turkish Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4–11
  • Belligerents reported injured
    5

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI031

Incident date

November 19, 2019

Location

خانصور, Khanasor, Sinjar, Iraq

Geolocation

36.47777, 41.61138 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that a Turkish drone attacked areas in Shingal region in Iraq on November 19th, 2019 causing deaths and injuries among civilians and YPG fighters.

@murad_ismael reported “Another Turkish airstrike today [Nov 19th] on town of Khanesor. Reportedly there are civilian victims which are yet to be confirmed.”

@ameddicleT added that “Turkish armed unmanned aerial vehicles bombed Khanasor town at noon”.

There is obvious ambiguity as to what the airstrike targeted and who got killed and injured. Some sources reported that the airstrike targeted the house of Elias Dero Hasan Dero, who is “member of the Democratic Party of #Ezidis in #Shingal and has no connection with the #PKK or #YPG.” according to Ezidipress. The same source also said that “close to Dero’s house is a base of the YPG, which was obviously the target of the #Turkish air strike.”

@fekerhoor said that the airstrike targeted “a Kia car carrying six Syrian fighters and Turks, while they were leaving the headquarters of YPG {Sinjar Protection Units}, in the Kansour district of Sinjar, west of Mosul, the Nineveh center.”

NRT said that five YPG fighters were injured in this incident. @xalfxalt tweeted that there have been casualties and deaths as a result of this attack, and so reported Kirkuknow saying that resulted in deaths and injuries among civilians. Dwarozh said the attack killed five people and injured one person without specifying whether they were civilians or not. From their side, Xinhua said that the attack “left 20 militiamen killed and wounded, the Iraqi military said.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Name unknown

Family members

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • "Turkish warplanes bomb the Yazidi town of Khanasor in Sinjar." (via @Ezidi2).
  • "Turkish warplanes bomb the Yazidi town of Khanasor in Sinjar." (via @Ezidi2).
  • Elias Dero, a politician whose house was a target of the Turkish airstrike on Khanasor, Iraq on November 19th, 2019 (via Ezidipress)
  • Location of the Turkish airstrike on Khanasor (via Khanasor)
  • Targets of the Turkish airstrike in Khanasor, Iraq (via NRT).
  • Aftermath of the Turkish airstrike in Khanasor, Iraq (via NRT).
  • A car burned down due to Turkish airstrikes in Khana Sor, in the Sinune sub-district of Shingal Nov.19.2019. (via: Kirkuk Now)
  • Aftermath of the Turkish airstrike on Khansour in Iraq on Nove 19th, 2019 (via @anmab1121)
  • "Security sources in Sinjar district: Turkish warplanes bombed a headquarters of the Yazidi Sinjar Protection Units in the Khansour complex." (via @AdnanAwadh)
  • "Security sources in Sinjar district: Turkish warplanes bombed a headquarters of the Yazidi Sinjar Protection Units in the Khansour complex." (via @AdnanAwadh)
  • "Turkish air strikes on a headquarters of the Shankal resistance units in the Khansour compound, northwest of Sinjar district." (via@aamerbabeer)
  • "Turkish air strikes on a headquarters of the Shankal resistance units in the Khansour compound, northwest of Sinjar district." (via@aamerbabeer)
  • "Turkish planes bombed the site Pkk targeting the house (Elias Deru) in the Khansour complex of Sunoon district, I hope without human losses .. 19/11/2019." (via @khalidqa20011).
  • Alleged Turkish airstrike hit the house of Ezidi politician Elias Dero in the city #Khanasor, Nov 19th, 2019 (via @Welatpa00428651)
  • Car hit by a Turkish airstrike on in Iraq on Nov 19th, 2019 (via Sotkurdistan).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Khanasor (خانصور), for which the generic coordinates are:36.47777, 41.61138. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Turkish Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI030

Incident date

November 4, 2019

Location

خانصور, Khanasor, Sinjar, Iraq

Geolocation

36.47777, 41.61138 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that three civilians were injured in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Khanasor.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "RojNews reports that warplanes have bombed the surroundings of the Khanasor (Xanesor) district of Shengal city in southern Kurdistan, northern Iraq. According to the report, at least three civilians were wounded in the attack." (via ANF)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Khanasor (خانصور), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.47777, 41.61138. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Turkish Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI029

Incident date

September 25, 2019

Location

زيوكة, Zaywakah, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq

Geolocation

35.91137, 45.41096 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and five civilians including two children were wounded in alleged Turkish strikes on Zaywakah village, according to local media.

Basnews reported: “Five civilians, including two children, were injured in Turkish air strikes which have been going on for two days inside the Kurdistan Region”.

ANF said two civilians were wounded.

The Christian Peacemaker Teams in Iraqi Kurdistan (CPTIK) reported in a list shared with Airwars in January 2020 that Dilamn Rasul Awlla and Omer Awlla Hasan, presumably both 25 years old, had been injured in the airstrike, according to the village leader.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Dilamn Rasul Awlla
25 years old male injured
Omer Awlla Hasan
25 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Turkish airstrike on Zaywakah village, Spet 25th 2019 (via Kurdistan 24)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Zaywakah (زيوكة) for which the generic coordinates are: 35.91137, 45.41096. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Turkish Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI028

Incident date

September 25, 2019

Location

كانى مازێ, Kani Mazi, Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

36.922590, 43.447700 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian, 19 or 20 years old, named as Yousef Jamal, died in an alleged Turkish airstrike on Kani Mazi village, Jammak, Amedi, sources said.

According to ANF, “A 20-year-old teenager was seriously injured in the bombing and died in hospital despite doctors tried everything to save his life.”

Ninanews added that five other civilians were wounded.

Turkey confirmed carrying out strikes on the area.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yousef Jamal
19 or 20 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: "As a result of the coordinated work of the Turkish Armed Forces and the National Intelligence Organization, the so-called special force element 2 PKK terrorist was neutralized in the vehicle they used with the air operation carried out in Gara region in the north of Iraq. #MSB#TSK"

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kani Mazi (كانى مازێ) for which the generic coordinates are: 36.922590, 43.447700. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Turkish Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Turkish Military

Within the scope of the successful operation of Pawe-3, 3 PKK terrorists belonging to a separatist terrorist organization were made ineffective with the air operation conducted in Haftanin region. Thus, the number of terrorists neutralized in the north of Iraq today is 6. #MSB#TSK

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

TI027

Incident date

August 29, 2019

Location

شران , Sherane, Dohuk, Iraq

Geolocation

37.012730, 42.947149 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reportedly injured in a Turkish airstrike on Sherane.

ANF said: “Turkish fighter jets shelled the village of Sherane in Duhok’s Amadiya district in South Kurdistan today noon. The bombardment has reportedly left a civilian wounded.”

RojNews wrote: “On Thursday, Turkish warplanes bombed an area belonging to the Amedi (Amadiyah) district of Dohuk governorate, wounding one civilian.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Picture of the supposed strike (via ANF)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sherane ( شران ), for which the generic coordinates are: 37.012730, 42.947149. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Turkish Military
  • Turkish Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]